Agrotis fatidica
Agrotis fatidica
Agrotis fatidica is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ).
- 4.1 Notes and references
- 4.2 Literature
Features
The wingspan of the male moth is 38 to 46 millimeters, that of the almost flightless females, however, only 24 to 35 millimeters. The female moth of the Norwegian population have a slightly larger wingspan and are able to fly short distances. The forewing ground color of the males varies from light brown to yellow -gray to dark brown. Ring and kidney are usually conspicuous blemish bright Particularly striking are wide, bright stripes that surround the veins and clearly stand out in particular in Saumfeld. Strikingly, the greyish-white or ocher hind wing. The short -winged females have a much darker base color, usually only indicated ring and kidney blemish, indistinct veins, a further darkened midfield and dark brown hind wings. Almost black females are as f monedula Dnhl. referred to. The antennae of the males are serrated ( bipektinat ) that the female thread-like ( filiform ).
The gray- white egg has a strong ribbed surface. The caterpillar is brownish gray in color and has an indistinct dark dorsal line, many small black dots and a red-brown head. The pupa is reddish brown; on the cremaster sit two thorns.
Similar Species
A similar type is the only locally detected in Norway Agrotis luehri ( Mentzer & Moberg, 1987). Both types can be distinguished by the different sensors, the front comb teeth in the males of luehri shorter and the thread-like antennae of females are wider at fatidica.
Geographical distribution and habitat
Agrotis fatidica is mostly found in Europe only in mountainous or hilly areas, 1800-3000 meters, as in the Alps, the Pyrenees, Corsica, the Apennines and the Balkans. At much lower localities it seems likely that the moths were carried by katabatic winds there. In southern Norway, you will find them at altitudes 750-1200 m. The wider distribution also extends from the Caucasus, parts of Siberia, the Altai and Mongolia to China. It comes in preference to the high mountains on dry meadows.
Way of life
Agrotis fatidica is one generation per year, the moth flies from July to September. The moths are diurnal and nocturnal and suck like other flowers. You will come to the bait and fly to artificial light sources. The short -winged females can be observed occasionally during the day crawling in the vegetation. You put the eggs in groups. The caterpillars feed on various grasses, eat mostly at night and hide during the day under stones.